The Call (short story)

The Call (abbreviated, see other post for full story)

Why do I exist? This is a question that many of us have wrestled with. I have spent many years struggling to find out what I'm supposed to be doing in life. I grew up going to church, but became a Christian in Jr. High and after I experienced God at a summer camp, I knew my life would never be the same. When I was 13, I felt that God was calling me to become a Pastor and a Missionary, but the longer I spent in the world, the less appealing these began to look as career options. Now I'm 31 and although I've accepted God's call to become a Pastor, I've never really been open to becoming a Missionary. A few years ago my heart began to break for Thailand and I felt that God was calling me to go. I wasn't sure why he put Thailand on my heart and was reluctant to answer his call. Every year since then, I've felt that God has wanted me to go and every year I've found excuses to stay home. I mean, I have two young children, lots of school work and a ministry to look after, right?  In the last 6 months God has radically challenged me to surrender more of my life to him and to follow him completely. He has brought me refreshing, renewal and new vision as I have given him more and more control over my life. His call for me to go to Thailand has persisted and several recent experiences have urged me to finally take action. Something changed in my relationship with God and I can say that I'm open to whatever God is calling me to. I've joined the PCJC team that will serve in Thailand from September 4th -15th and am excited to see what God has in store for me. Whether he's called me to simply serve on a short term trip or to take my family overseas, I will follow Him. For the first time in my life, I can honestly say "Here am I. Send me!".

Please pray for my family and I as we discern his call on our lives and prepare for this upcoming trip.